Engine starter



3 Sheets-Sheet l M. B. JACKSON ENGINE STARTER Filed March 13, 1928 June 10, 1930.

I NVENTR.

M. B. JACKSON ENGINE STARTER Filed March 13, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .June 10, 1930.

June l0, 1930. M. B. JACKSON ENGINE STARTER Filed March 15, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IVENTDR.

Patented .lune 10, 1930 light. FED STATES MAUNSELL B. JACKSON, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

ENGINE STARTER Application filed March 13, 1928.

This invention relates to starters for intei-nal combustion engines and more particularly to the type in which a starter pinion is manually moved into meshing engagement with an engine gear and my object is to provide simple and efhcient means for accomplishing this without damaging the teeth of either the gear or the pinion.

I attain my object by providing an armature shaft with long pitched threads on which a starter pinion is threaded. Gn this shaft is disposed a rotatable member on which is disposed a sleeve formed in two parts, one of which is driven directly by manually movable means. A frictional drive connection is provided between the rota-ta le member and the sleeve parts. rlhe latter have co-operative inclined faces i adapted to cause an axial movement of the parts to increase the friction when the manually operable means is moved to start the engine. Means for providing lost motion is provided so that the rotatable inember, which carries a spring finger, may be rotated relative to the pinion, which carries a cam. This relative movement of the linger and cam causes the pinion to be A axially moved towards the gear and into l mesh therewith if the teeth on the pinion are in alinement with the spaces between the teeth on the gear. Should the pinion teeth abut the gear teeth, the spring finger will be compressed until the lost motion has been talzen up, whereupon the pinion will be rotated to clear its teeth ofthe gear teeth so that the ccmpressed spring finger willl move the pinion axially again into mesh-Y n ing engagement with the gear. rhe manually operable means, when it nears the end of its movement, closes a switch to energize the starterl motor, whereby the pinion, which is already in mesh vwith the gear, will be threaded along the shaft to engage the abutmentthereon if the pinion is not fully meshed by the manually operable means. The abutment limits the axial `movement of the pinion in one direction to form a rotary drive connection between the shaft and pinion threads. When the motor Serial No. 261,359.

is energized the shaft runs ahead of the rotatable member until the lost motion means is restored to its initial position, in which position it forms a drive connection between the shaft and member to position the linger to clear the cam when the pinion is de-meshed. rlhe constructions are hereinafter more fully described and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Y Fig. l is a longitudinal section of my starter showing the pinion and spring finger in their normal or inoperative positions;

Fig. 2 a cross section on the line 2 2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the rotatable member moved to take up the lost motion;

Fig. 4l a cross section on a reduced scale on the line 4.- in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 a development of the surfaces of the two part sleeve and bushing shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 a longitudinal section of a modified form of starter;

Fig. 7 a horizontal sectional detail of the member and sleeve shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 a longitudinal section of a modified form of starter, in which the sleeve is omitted;

Fig. 9 a longitudinal section of a further modified forni of starter in which the pin ion has a limited rotary movement relative t0 the shaft;

F ig. l0 a cross section on the line lO-lO in Fig. 9;

Fig. ll a side elevation partly in section,

of a further modified form of my starter;

Fig. l2 a side elevation, partly in section, of a `further modified form of my starter; and

Fig. 13 a side elevation, partly in section, of a still further modified form of my starter.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Referring to Figs. l to 5, l is an electric motor having an extended armature shaft 2 provided with long pitched threads 3. A

A projection 11 carried by the flange 7 is located between shoulders 12 and 13 formed on a ring 14 keyed at 15 to the shaft 2. The shoulders 12, 13 are spaced apart sufficiently to permit a limited 'rotary movement of the member' 6 relative to the shaft Whereby the spring finger 9 is rotated relative to the cam 10. Pressure is thus produced on the pinion tending to axially move it to-Y wards the gear. The projection-11 is normally in engagement with the shoulder 12 and when the member 6 is rotated, as hereinafter described, the. projection moves t0 wards the shoulder 13 to draw the free end of the spring finger across the cam surface of the cam 10. This movement forces the pinion along the shaft and, if the pinion teeth enter the spaces between the gear teeth, meshes the pinion with the gear. Should the ends of the pinion teeth abut the ends of the gear teeth, the axial movement of the pinion towards the gear will be stopped but the rotary movement of the member relative to the shaft will continue so that the free end of the finger will be pressed back until the projection 11 engages the shoulder 13 and rotates the shaft 2 and thus the pinion teeth sufficiently to clear the gear teeth. The free end of the finger is then free to movel the pinion axially again into mesh with the gear.

The member 6 is rotated by means` of a sleeve 16 which is formed in two parts 17 and 18. These parts are slightly spaced apart and are disposed on the member 6. The remote ends aof the two parts are provided with langes 19 and 20. Annular disks 21 of friction material, disposed on the member', are interposed between flanges 7 and 19; and 8 and 20. The sleeve part 18 is provided with a gear 22 which is meshed with a suitably guided rack 23. The Vupper end of the rack is bifurcated to receive a switch arm 24 which is manually operated by any well known foot pedal or hand pull-out device to actuate the rack. The adjacent ends of the sleeve parts 17 and 18 are provided with inclined co-operative faces 27 and 28 adapted to move the said parts axially away from one another to forma frictional drive connection, by means of the disks 21, .flanges 7 and 19-8 and 20, between the sleeve 16 and member 6. A spring 26 tends to rotate the part 17 relative to the part 18 to set the frictional drive connection between the sleeve and member to normally provide a friction drag or brake for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The rack 23 and gear 22 are adapted, when the manually operable device is actuated to start the engine, to rotate the sleeve part 18 in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow and opposite to that imparted to part 17 by t-he spring 26 whereby the sleeve parts 17, 18 aregiven a further axial movement to increase the friction between the flanges of the sleeve and member.

To facilitate the relative movements of the inclined faces 27, 28, a ball 29 is carried between the faces of each set. The balls are retained by a transversely split bushing, 30 carried between the member 6 and the sleeve 16 and by a ring 31.

The rack 23 and the other manually operable means for actuating the rack are returned, by means of a spring 32, to their inoperative positions. The lower end of the rack is tubular to receive one end of the spring, the other end of which engages a` plug 33. A pin and enlarged hole connection 34 limits the upward movement of the switch arm 24 relative to the rack.

The mode of operation is as follows. When the rack 23 is depressed by the operator to start the engine, the sleeve part- 18 is driven in a direction of rotation indicated by the arrow to rotate the member 6.. This rotary movement of the part 18 takes up all possible movement of the vinclined faces 28 relative to the faces 27 whereby the friction is increased to its maximum to ensure the driving of the member 6. This member is thus rotated relative to the shaft to cause the cam shaped spring finger 9 to move the pinion 4 axially of the shaft as herenbefore described. If the pinion teeth abut the gear teeth' the rotary movement of the member 6 is continued whereby the projection 11 engages the shoulder 13 to rotate the shaft 2 and thus the pinion untilthe spring finger 9 is permitted to move the pinion axially into meshing engagement with the gear.

As the switch arm 24- nears the end of its movement for depressing the vrack 23, a lug 35 ony the switch arm engages the plunger 36 of a springv actuated plunger switch for controlling the electric energy to the motor 1.` The switch is normally open and when closed by the switch arm 24 the motor will be energized to rotate the shaft 2.`

Tf the pinion be not fully meshed with the gear, the former will be threaded along the shaft into Vengagement with an abutment 37 which limits the axial movement of the pinion whereb-ythe latter is rotated with the shaft.

When the shaft is rotated by the motor,

lio

LTI

jection 11 until it engages the latter so that the rotatable member 6 is driven with the shaft.A The spring linger 9 is thus positioned in its initial position relative to the shaft threads so that cam 10 will clear the finger when the pinion is automatically demeshed by the engine gear. Immediately the rotatably member' 6 is driven by the shaft 2 the frictional drive connection between the member 6 and the sleeve part 17 causes the latter to be slightly rotated relative to the sleeve part 18, which is held stationary by means of the rack and switch arm when the operator is energizing the motor. The inclined faces 27 are thus moved relative to the faces 28 to relieve the increased friction, between the rotatable member and the sleeve parts, which was applied by the manually operable means when actuated to start the engine as hereinbeforc described. The normal or constant friction exerted by the pring 26 on the frictional drive connection between the flanges 7 19 and 8, 2O of the rotatable member and sleeve parts is adapted to permit the connection to slip to permit the shaft to rotate the member 6 relative to the sleeve parts 17, 18. This friction serves as a brake or drag on the rotatable member to prevent it from overrunning the shaft to re-mesh the pinion, when the motor is cle-energized.

lvVhen the operator permits the spring 32 to return the rack 23 and switch arm 24 to their initial position, the motor circuit 51 will be opened to cle-energize the motor. rlhis return movement of the rack rotates the part 18 in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, in Fig. 1, and therefore returns the parts 17 and 18 to their initial position.

ln llligs. 6 and 7 a modified arrangement of the starter is shown. The rotatable member 6a disposed on the haft 22L is provided with flanges 7a and 8f. The flange 8a is provided with a projection 11@L freely carried between shoulders 12LBL and 13, formed by a recess in the periphery of a ring 14a secured to the shaft. A one-piece sleeve 16a, disposed on the member 6a, is provided with a 1flange 19a. A. ring 21a of friction material is interposed between the flanges 19a and 7a. fr spring 26 disposed on the member 6'L1 and having its ends engaging antifriction washers 38 hearing against the flange 8a and against the end of the sleeve 16a, sets the frictional drive connection between the sleeve and member. The sleeve 16'L is rotated, by means of a'manuaily operable lever 23 having a pin and helical slot connection 22a with the sleeve, to rotate the member 6a. Engaging means comprising a spring finger 9a and a cam 10a is provided between the member 6a and inion la whereby one movement of the lever will move the pinion axially ancL rotarily, if necessary, to mesh it with the engine gear 5a. The pin and slot connection 22 is so arranged that the friction between. the flanges 19'- and 7 is increased during the movement of the lever 23a to start the engine. The lever j 'irovided with a lug 35L for op erating the plunger to close the motor circuit when the lever ne: the end of movement. ri spring 32 nds to return the lever and the other manu-a y operable parts to their inoperative positions, the spring 321L being considerably weaker than the spring 26u.

ln 8 the sleeve 16 or 16 is not used,

he frictional drive connection between the manually operated device and rotatable member 6b is formed by a spring-tensioncd cable 23". rlie cable has one or more wir lings on the member and is connected with the switch arm 2e@ and the si :ing 26" to compress the latter when the device 25 is operated to start the engine. The low portion of the cam shaped linger member 9b normally engages axially directed projection 39 carried b le pinion l'. During the movement of ie `projecti n ll) towards the shoulder 13") the cani or helical shaped portion of the linger 9" engages the projection 39 to move the pinion axially into mesh with the gear 5n or against the end thereof. ln latter case the continued rotary movement of the member 6b rotates, by means of the rojection 11 and shoul er l3), the shaft 2" nd thus the pinion il", to clear its teeth from nose of the ge which permit-s linger 9D to continue ie axial movement of the pinion into mesh with the gear. rlhe lug D then closes the plunger switch 36b to energize the motor 1". The shaft 2b and thus th shoulder 12" rotates relative to the member 6b until the said shoulder engages the projcc.. tion lll) to rotate the member and position the finger to clear the projection 39 when the pinion is de-meshed from the gear.

ln Figs. 9 and 10 a slightly modified arrangement of the lost motion device for permitting a limited relative movement between the linger 9 and cam 10 is shown. The pinion l@ is loosely threaded on the sha threads 3c so that the shaft 2C may be rotated relative the pinion which is weighted, hy a collar 40, to increase its inertia. rlhe cam shaped finger 9C 1s carried by the rotatable member 6c which is formed integral with or secured to the shaft and is rotated by the manually operable cable 23C. lVhen the latter is operated to start the engine the finger 9c and shaft 2c are rotated relative to the cam 10c and pinion l-P respectively, to move the pinion axially of the shaft. Should the pinion teeth abut the gear teeth the con-A tinued rotary movement of the rotatable member and shaft will bring the sides a of the shaft threads into engagement with the pinion threads to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth whereupon the cam shaped spring into meshing engagement with the gear.

shown in the other views.

In Fig. 11 a spring actuated pin 9d is substituted for the cam shaped spring finger Any suitable means may be employed, such as the cable 23d, to rotate the member 6d manually. In the constructions hereinbefore described the rotatable member is adapted to rotate the shaft and thus the pinion to clear the pinion teeth when they abut the gear teeth. In this modification a pin 41 carried by the memberl is adapted to engage a projection 42 carried by the pinion 4dv whereby the latter is rotated, if necessary, directly by the rotatable member. rlhe shoulder 12d for engaging the projection 11d is formed by a pin carried by the shaft 2d.

In Fig. 12, I show a spring actuated pin 9e engaging a pocket 10e carried by the pinion 4e. The pin is carried on a stem 48 journalled in the rotatable member 6e so that as the latter is rotated the stem may rotate slightly to permit the outer end of f' the pin to remain in its pocket While is axially or rotarily moving the pinion. The rotating movement of the stem on its axis is limited in both directions by stops 44 and 45 which are adapted to-y engage an arm46 carried by the stem. A. spring 4'? tends to return the arm 46'to its initial position in engagement with the stop 44. A nut 48 limits the outward movement of the pin, and the shoulder 12e positions the rotatable mem- ?Zber so that the pin will engage the pocket when the pinion is de-meshed.

Fig. 13 shows a hook 49 on the spring finger 9f for engagement with a lug 50 on the cam 10f, whereby the pinion 4f may be rotated, if necessary, by the rotatable member Gf'without rotating the shaft 2f. v

The cable drive connections shown in Figs.

8 to 18 are adapted to frictionally engage the rotatable membersto rotate the latter,

'55 and these drive connections are adapted to slip when the rotatable membersfare being v driven by the armature shafts to position the cam shaped members on the rotatable inembers to clear the cams or projections on the pinions when the latter are de-meshed. It will be distinctly understood that the drive connections shown in Figs. 1 orl 6 may be substituted for the drive connectionsshown in Figs. 9 to 13.

What I claim is:

1. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable member on the shaft; manually operable means for rotating said member; and means whereby the said member is adapted, when rotated not more than a predetermined distance, to

\ move the pinion axially and if the pinion teeth meet `end to endA withthe gear teeth' to resiliently holdthem infengagement there-` withi and: :thereafter positivelyv rotate said pinion-to clear `the teethjof:l the gear to permit a further axial movement;

2. Anengine starter ycomprising a rotatable shaft; a starterpinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axiallyto meshwith a gear of 'an engine to ybe started;a rotatable member on the shaft'; manually operable means for rotating saidimember; andfmeans wherebyA the said member is adapted when rotated not'more ,than a predetermined distance lto impart an axialfmofvementto the pinion and thereafter by continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear, where-'f by the-teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion.

3. An engine starter 'comprising 'a irotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh wit-ha gear'of an engine tol be started; a rotatable member on theishaft; manually operable means for rotating-Y said member; and means whereby the said member isadapted Vwhen-"rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impartl an axialA movement tothe pinion and thereafter by continued rotary move-V ment tozrotate the pinion'ifv the teeth therof meet end torend with the teeth of theV gear; wherebythe teeth are cleared to permit a further axial' movement of the pinion, the last mentioned -means including a spring cushioning `device adapted to be tensioned by the movement of the rotatable member, if

the axial movement of the :pinion is tempo:vv

rarily stopped, to effect the initial meshing movement of the pinion when its teeth are broughtV to meshing position.

4. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaftf;'a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be? started; a rotatable member; manually operable means forA rotating said member; and means whereby the said member is adapted when rotated 'not more than a predetermineddistance to impart anaxial movement to the pinion andfthereafter by continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear, whereby the' teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movenient of the pinion, the last mentioned means Vincluding a drive connection between the manually operable means and the said rotatable member adapted to permit slippage. v5. Anl engine starter comprising a rotat-` engine to be started ;-a rotatableV member;

manually operable means for rotating said member; means whereby the said member is adapted when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial movement to the pinion and thereafter by #continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if trie teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear, whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion; a frictional drive connection between the manually operable means and the said rotatable member; and means normally setting the frictional drive connection and adapted to increase the friction when the manually operable means is actuated to start the engine.

6. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion threaded on the shaft and adapted to be moved axially thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable member on the shaft; manually operable means for rotating the said member; means whereby the said member is adapted when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial movement to `the pinion and thereafter by continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion; a projection carried by the shaft adapted to engage and rotate the member to position the latter in its initial position relative to the pinion to permit the thread to cle-mesh the pinion; and a frictional drive connection between the manually operable means and the member.

7. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion threaded on the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable member on the shaft; manually operable means for rotating the said member; means whereby the said member is adapted when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial movement to the pinion and thereafter by continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion; a projection carried by the shaft adapted to engage and rotate the member to position the latter in its initial position relative' to the pinion to permit the thread to de-mesh the pinion; a frictional drive connection between the manually operable means and the member; and means adapted to increase the friction when the manually operable means is actuated to start the engine.

8. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion threaded on the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started;

a rotatable member on the shaft; manually operable means for rotating the said member; means whereby the said member is adapted when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial movement to the pinion and tl creafter by continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end 'to end with the teeth of the gear whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion; a projection carried by the shaft adapted to engage and rotate the member to position the latter in its initial 'position relative the pinion to permit the thread to de-mesh the pinion, the manually operable means including a sleeve formed in two parts disposed on the member, the said parts having co-operative inclined faces; a frictional drive connection between the sleeve and the member; and spring means tending to set the frictional drive connection, the inclined faces being adapted to increase the friction when the sleeve is actuated to start the engine.

9. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable member; manually operable means for rot-ating said member; and means including a spring cushioning device carried by one of said member and pinion parts and adapted to engage the other of said member and'pinion parts whereby the said member is adapted when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial movement to the pinion and thereafter by continued rot-arf.7 movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear, whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion.

l0. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable member on the shaft; manually operable means for rotating said member; and means whereby the said member is adapted, when rotated relative to the pinion, to move the pinion axially and if the pinion teeth meet end to end with the gear teeth to resiliently hold them in engagement therewith and thereafter rotate said pinion to clear the teeth of the gear to permit a further axial movement.

11. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable member; manually operable means for rotating said member; means whereby the said member is adapted to when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial LOB movement to the pinion and thereafter by continued rotary' movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear, whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion; a frictional drive conneetionv between the manually operable means and the said rotatable member; and means adapted to increase the friction when the manually operable means is actuated to start the engine, p

y l2. An engine starter comprising a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive lconnection with the shaft and' adapted to be .moved axially to mesh with a gear `of an engine to be started; a rotatable member;

manuali o erable means for rotating said member; means for imparting an axial movement to the pinion by .the rotation of the member; means adapted to rotate the pinion. by the rotation of the member; land meansfor providing lost motion whereby the member may rotate relative` to the pinion to effect an axial movement of the pinion before the latter is rotated by the member torclear its teeth of the gear teeth to permit a further axial movement.

13. An engine starter including a rotat# able shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to 'be start-ed; the said drive con.- nection serving to rotate the pinion if the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a member on the shaft adapted to rotate the latter; means for imparting an axial movement to the pinion by the rotation of the member; manu-ally operable means adapted to rotate the member; and means for providing lost motion whereby the member may rotate relative to the pinion to effect anaxial movement of the pinion before the shaftv is rotatedby the member to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth of the gear teeth to permit a further axial movement;

14. An engine starter including a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to'be -moved axially to mesh with a gear of an the member may rotate relative to the pinion to iefliect axial movement of .the pinion before the shaft is rotated by the member to rotate the pinion to volea-r its teethA of -thegear teeth and .to thus lpermit a furtheraxial movement.A

l5. An engine starter including a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion threaded thereon and axially movable thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, the said thread serving to rotate-the pinion if the teeth fon the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a member having a limited rotary movement relative to the shaft; engaging means, including a spring; between the member and lpinion for causing an axial. movement o-f the pinion; and manually operable means adapted to rotate the member relative to the pinion to effect an axial movement of the pinion and, if necessary, to take upv said limited rotary movement whereby the shaft will rotate the pinion yteeth to clear thev gear teeth `to permit a further axial movement.

16. In a starter for use with an internal combustion engine having'a gear adapted to rotate the crankshaft thereof, the' combination of starter mechanism including a shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted.. to be moved axially to mesh with the gear; the said drive connection serving 'to rotate the pinion if the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a cam shaped member carried by one yof the said shaft and pinion parts and adapted to engage the other ofthe said shaft and pinionparts,,the said member and its said engaging part `having a limited rotary movement relative to one anotherl whereby `an axial movement ofthe pinion is effected; and manually operable means adapted to rotate one of the said member and its said engaging lpart relative to the other to effect an axialmovement of the pinion and, if necessary, to tale upv the said limited rotary movement whereby the shaft will rotate the pinion teeth to clear the gear teeth to perl-mit a .further axial movement. p

17. An engine starter includingI a4 rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to meshl with a' gear of an engine to be started,-the said drive connection serving to'rotate the `pinion if the teeth on the latter meet end to end'with the teeth on the gear; a member on the shaft adapted to rotate theV latter; engaging means between the pinionV and member for causing an axial movement ofthe piniony by the rotation of the member; means adapted tofrietionally; engageythe member to rotate it; manually operable means adapted to cause the friction means to rotate the ymember; and means for providing lost motion whereby the-member may rotate relative to the piiiion to effect an axial movement Iof the .pinion before the shaft is rotated by the member to rotate the pin-ionrto clear its teeth of the gear teeth and to thus permit a further axial movement.

18. ln a starter for use with an internal combustion engine having a gear adapted to rotate the crankshaft thereof the combination ot starter mechanism including a motor; a circuit connected with the motor and including means for closing the circuit; a shaft driven by the motor; a starter pinion having drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with the gear, the said drive connection serving to rotate the pinion it the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a cam shaped member carried by one et the said shaft and pinion parts and adapted to engage the other of the said shalt and pinion parts, the said member and its said engaging part having a limited rotary movement relative to one another whereby an axial movement ot the pinion is ele-cted; and manually operable means adapted to actuate the circuit closing means to close the circuit and adapted to rotate one of the said member and its said engaging part relative to the other to effect an axial movement of the pinion and, if necessary, to take up the said limited rotary movement whereby the shaft will rotate the pinion teeth to clear the teeth to permit a further arial movement before the circuit is closed.

19. An engine starter including a r able shaft; a starter pinion having a e connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to meshwith a gear of an engine to be started, the said drive connection serving to rotate the pinion ir" the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a cam shaped member carried by one of the said shaft and pinion parts and adapted to engage the other ot the said shalt and pinion parts, the said member and its said engaging part having a limited rotary movement relative to one another whereby an axial movement oit the pinion is effected; manually operable means adapted to rotate one ot the said member and its said engaging part relative to the other to cause the pinion to be axially moved and, it necessary, to take up the said limited rotary movement whereby the shaft will rotate the pinion teeth to clear the gear teeth to permit a further axial movement; and a trictional drive connection between the manually operable means and one of the said mem ber and its said engaging part.

20. An engine starter including a rotatable shatt; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear ot an engine to be started, the said drive connection serving to rotate the pinion if the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a member on the shaft adapted to rotate the latter; engaging means, including a spring, for causing an axial movement of the pinion by the rotation of the member; manually operable means havin/' a trictional driving connection with the inber; means adapted to increase the tric ion when the manually operable means is actuated to start the engine; and means 'tor providing lost motion nf'hereby the member may rotate relative to the pinion to ett-ect an axial movement oit the pinion before the shaft .is rotated by the member to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth of the gear teeth and to thus permit 'further axial movement.

2l. An engine starter ineluding a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion threaded thereon and axially movable thereotI to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, the said thread serving to rotate the pinion it the teeth on the latter meet ond to end with the teeth on the ge r; a member having a limited rotary movement relative to the shaft; engaging means, including' a spring, between the member and pinion for c` using an axial movement of the pinion; a sleeve disposed on the member; a frictional drive connection between the member and the sleeve and manuali;T operable means having a drive connection with the sleeve to cause the rotation ot the member relative to thepinion to effect axial movement of the pinion.

22. An engine starter including a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection therewith and axially movable thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, the said drive connection serving to rotate the pinion it the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a member having a limited rotary movement relative to the shaft; spring and cam engaging means between the member and pinion for causing an axial movement of the pinion; a sleeve disposed on the member; .manually operable means tor rotating the sleeve; a irictional drive connection between the sleeve and the member; means normally setting the trictional drive connection and adapted to increase the friction when the manually operable means is actu ated to start the engine.

23. An engine starter including a rotatable sha-ft; a starter pinion having a drive connection therewith and axially movable thereof to mesh with a gear ot an engine to be started, the said drive connection serving to rotate the pinion it the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a member having a limited rotary movement relative to the shaft; engaging means, including a spring, between the member and pinion for causing an axial movement ot the pinion; a sleeve formed in two parts disposed on the member; a gear carried by one of the said sleeve parts; manually operable means including a raclr meshed with the gear on the sleeve part; a frictional drive connection between one of the said parts and the member; and means tending to set the frictional drive connection; the said sleeve parts having inclined aco-operative faces for axially moving the parts away from one another to increase the friction when th rack isv moved in one direction to the engine.

24. An engine starter including a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion having a drive connection therewith and axially movable thereof to mesh with a gear of an engine to bey started, the said drive connection serving to rotate the pinion if the teeth on the latter meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; a member having a limited rotary movement relative to the shaft; spring and cam engaging means between the member and pinion for causing an axial movement of the pinion; a sleeve formed'in two parts disposed on the member; a gear carried by one of the said sleeve parts; manually operable means including a rack meshed with the gear on the sleeve part; a frictional drive connection between the said parts and the member; the said sleeve parts having inclined co-operative faces for axially moving the parts away from one another'to set the frictional drive connection when'the rack is moved in one direction to start the engine; and antifriction means engaging the said co-operative faces.

25. In a starter for use with an internal combustion engine having a gear adapted to rotate the crankshaft thereof the combination of starter mechanism including a motor; a circuit connected with the motor and including means for closing the circuit; a shaft driven by the motor; a starter pinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with the gear; a rotatable member; manually operable means adapted to actuate the circuit closing means to close the circuit and adapted to rotate said member; and means whereby the said member is adapted when rotated not more than a predetermined distance to impart an axial movement to the pinion and thereafter by continued rotary movement to rotate the pinion if the teeth thereof meet end to end with the teeth of the gear, whereby the teeth are cleared to movement to the pinion and thereafter by continued rotarT movement `to rotate vthe pinion if the teeth thereofmeet end toend with the teeth of thev gear whereby the teeth are cleared to permit a further axial movement of the pinion; and a projection carried by the shaft adapted to engage and rotate the memberto position the latter in its initial position relative to the pinion to permit the thread to demesh the pinion.

27. ln a starter for use with an internal combustion engine having a gear adapted to rotate the crankshaft thereof, the combination-of starter mechanism including a rotatable shaft; a starterpinion having a drive connection with the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with the gear; a cam shaped member carried by one of said shaft and pinion parts and adapted to engage the other of said shaft and pinion parts, the said member and its said engaging part having a limited rotary movement relative to one another wherebyL an axial movement of the pinion is effected; manually operable means adapted to rotate one of said members and its said engaging part yrelative to the other to effect an axial movement of the pinion and; if the teethon the pinion meet end to end with the teeth on the gear; to take up said limited rotary movement and to rotate the pinion until its teeth clear the gear teeth to permit further axial movement of the pinion.

Signed at Toronto; Canada, this 7th day of March, 1928.

i MAUNS'ELL' B. JACKSON.

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